$30K DAC in a $70K system - wise or ridiculous?

All, again many thanks for the many suggestions.  A few observations: First, let it be stated that with all the problems in the world, it is certain that spending even $500 on something like a DAC could be better spent in the service of humanity. :) And for the record, I am quite comfortable with my personal level of charitable giving. Half in jest, y'all.

Also, I misstated the DAC price - it's $20K, not $30K. But I think all the comments still stand.

I'm always amazed in these discussions how many well-argued positions there are on both sides. So I guess it comes down to ones own taste and ears.

I had been deeply impressed with its full bodied sound when I auditioned Pacific Dac May this year.

But since I am using Tube integrated amp, I had opted for Chord Dave and Mscaler.


I agree with most people that speaker shall be most important components in Audio system.

I had been using Lansche 4.1 speaker since 2007 which I had paid 50K$ for new one.

Some audiophile tends to keep changing the components every year or so.

But I am a music lover staying away from too frequent changing of components.


I had used Emmlab Dac 2 from 2010(new price was 9k$) to 2018 which I still keep it as reserve.

You may go ahead with Pacific Dac and use it 5 years or longer.

After changing to Pacific Dac, your weak link will your speaker although Focal Kanta 3 is a pretty good one.

Then you may consider upgrading your speaker after 1 or 2 years when you have enough cash reserve.

Just my 2 cents.

Thomas

I recently attended a show where A high end dealer had assembled three systems, which were balanced in his view. 
In the 60K setup the streamer was Innuos Zenith at 4K and the DAC a 5K from Soulution. 
So that was apparently his view. 

Most people here have never heard a DHT product so while everyone has an opinion, to me they are not helpful especially when nobody here said that they have heard this DC and especially not in their own system.  My company builds DHT products and in our comparisons, there is very little out there that can complete.  BUT there is a price to pay for what ever improvement each person hears.

For example, I got a hold of an AudioQuest Niagara AC filter.  It made the sound very clear with great separation between the sound, more decay, deeper sound stage, better tone as AC noise kills tone IMO, sound was very layered but in comparison without the unit, there was more excitement to the sound more music was out of the speaker so less depth and separation.  I did like the excitement but overall the filter made the sound so beautiful, it was dreamy!

Plenty of times with this type of sound, some people lite the excitement more.  I am not sure if they understand the sound or just prefer that sound.

To summary, you have to hear it in your system to see if this dac will please you.  It will probably offer a very musical sound that you have not heard before.  Then you have to decide if $20K is what you prefer.

Also, IMO without these components, you are not hearing the full potential of your speakers so to me, many people feel the need to change speakers.  I have gone into dealers with speakers that I consider excellent and came out saying that the sound was just OK but I have heard them sound much better.  To me that is the impact of the equipment I heard them with.

Happy Listening 

Bigkidz, DHT designs can sound excellent but are they necessarily any better then other designs is up to the product's ultimate design topology, parts selection and synergy.

We have the Manly 300b preamp which is a superb DHT 300b based preamp, the CJ ET 5 and GAT creamed that preamp, now the CJ pieces were double to four times the price, but the GAT was far superior.

As per the Niagra 7000 it was aweful in our reference system compared to the Audio Magic Oracle, on a direct comparision the magic of the system  went right out the window with the AQ, unit, and for your information we have tested most of the big power conditioners and the Audio Magic bested them all. Our other test units, Running Springs, Silver Circle, Audience, Isotek, in the past Synergistic and Shunyata.

As per the dac issue, personally it would be hard for us to recommend such an expensive dac no matter how stunning it sounds as Lampi does not have an upgrade path. 

For a lot less you can get an Aqua Formula which is a 100% modular and upgradable and it is also a NOS dac, but with some very cool features, FPGA, ability to play DSD and high res PCM. 

The new Formula with the revised anallog board is way better than the previous version which had a few sonic issues, the new Formula is really fantastic it may not be a melifourous as the DHT sounding Lampi but the Aqua line is known for musicallity,

Another possiblity trade in the amp, preamp, and get a Vinnie Rossi new DHT 300b hybrid amp/dac combo which has been wowing people at the recent CAP and New York Audio Show.

There are very few $30k ish dac's that we would recommend that unless the company offers 100% modular upgrade ability you will have spent a  lot on a future boat anchor.  

We don't sell MSB but their designs are modular, DCS not upgradable, Aqua 100% modular, these would be products we would look at.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Aqua Hifi Dealers